Arsenal have been linked with Sterling in the past and some reports suggest they could be more tempted to allow Sanchez to leave if they receive a replacement in return, though their preference is said to be for Sergio Aguero.

Regardless, Sterling has been advised not to be tempted by an offer from Arsenal as it could be a bad career move given Arsene Wenger’s recent record on developing players.

Sterling has started the season brightly for Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

Sterling, 22, has been urged not to risk joining the Gunners (Picture: Getty)

Writing for The Times, Cascarino says very few players have improved under Wenger in recent years and that Arsenal are generally in a poor shape at the moment after dropping out of the Champions League.

‘Manchester City are prepared to let Raheem Sterling leave for Arsenal but the England forward should be very wary of joining a sinking ship,’ Cascarino said.

‘City have indicated that Sterling can link up with Arsene Wenger’s team if that is what it takes to bring Alexis Sanchez in the other direction. That would be a very dangerous move for Sterling. The list of players who have failed to fulfil their potential at the Emirates Stadium is too long.

‘Only if Arsenal were to offer him a much better wage is there any good reason for him to go there. In contrast to Wenger’s early years at the club, the manager does not have an impressive record for improving players over the past decade. Most of those he has signed have stood still, at best.

‘You can say that Sanchez has got better at Arsenal and Olivier Giroud probably has too, but otherwise it is a sorry tale, particularly for England players. Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calum Chambers and Carl Jenkinson have disappointed to varying degrees despite all making their international debuts by the age of 20.

‘It would be a particularly bad time for Sterling to join Arsenal because the club is at risk of falling away significantly. By dropping out of the Champions League, they are not successful enough to entice the really top players, while Wenger is no longer a big draw for transfer targets.’